The Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA) has a long history of providing significant financial contributions to Australian MS research efforts into finding the cause, better treatments and a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS).
This year, MSWA has once again led the way in funding research in Australia with a $1.5million contribution. A generous $0.5 million has been allocated for WA based projects via our inaugural Research Funding Round.
We are now proud to announce the successful candidates which include three post doctorate research fellowships and two social and applied research applicants.
Dr Marzena Pedrini – Senior Research Officer, Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute (WANRI)
Well published in the multiple sclerosis and associated research fields, Dr Pedrini supports several current and proposed projects including “Exploring the mechanisms of MS pathogenies”, HSCT (stem cell) register, Ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy in MS and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) research.
Mr Anderson Jones – Research Officer & Clinical Trial Coordinator, Telethon Kids Institute
Mr Jones has worked on vitamin D and UVB phototherapy MS research. He has keen interests in immunology, allergy and nutrition. He will be extending the Phototherapy for Clinically Isolated Syndrome (PhoCIS) project looking at the mechanisms by which UV affects the immune system and contributes towards finding a way to stop the progression of MS.
Dr Lucinda Black – Senior Research Officer, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at Curtin University
Dr Black’s research will focus on exploring the link between dietary factors and the risk of MS. She will explore patterns of food intake, intake of specific foods and nutrients and whether they contribute to the risk of MS.
Professor Soumya Ghosh – Neurologist, WANRI and Sir Charles Gardener Hospital
Professor Ghosh’s current research project investigates whether the use of non-invasive brain stimulation plus balance treatment enhances neuroplasticity for people with relapsing remitting MS. Research is being funded by MS Research Australia and they have approved an extension to include progressive MS participants. MSWA funding will be used to conduct a pilot study of balance treatment and non-invasive brain stimulation for people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Dr Michelle Byrne – Head of Clinical Psychology Unit, Centre for Neuromuscular & Neurological Disorders at the University of Western Australia
Dr Byrne’s project will evaluate the effects of an integrated cognitive and psychosocial rehabilitation program to facilitate improvements in cognitive and psychosocial development.
We look forward to updating you on the progress of these research projects throughout the year.